Big and small moments make Charlie Baker inauguration a standout

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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 3: Gov. Charlie Baker shakes hands during the citizens greeting in Doric Hall prior to his inauguration at the State House on January 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/Boston Herald)

It certainly was interesting to be at the State House most of Thursday to see our state government in action. I was invited to listen to Gov. Charlie Baker deliver his insightful second Inaugural address, but I got to hear and see much more than that. Both Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito delivered a bipartisan, comprehensive political agenda detailing what they hope to achieve in their next four-year term.

In listening also to the Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo talk about how committed the Legislature is in working responsibly and respectively with both the state Senate and governor in the best interests of the people of the commonwealth, I couldn’t help thinking how better off the citizens of Massachusetts are. After seeing all the polarization and division coming from the nation’s capital played out every night on TV, it’s refreshing to see elected officials from different parties committed to working together.

But I was also interested in a few other things that usually don’t get public attention, but which impressed me. I talked to advocates for people with drug and alcohol problems, special-needs children and fighters for affordable housing. In other words, not just lobbyists representing powerful interests. These are the things I look for when I look at how government operates.

But a few other small things particularity hit home — and I think it’s important for people to know how their political representatives think and what’s of concern to them. Sitting in the balcony of the House of Representatives chamber, right near me, were close family friends with their 6-year-old daughter, Sophia, from Milton. I was introduced to her and was told she was there because loves to help raise money for needy kids. She was invited by state officials to start the program by leading everybody in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The little girl’s great-uncle Eddie Sullivan was a close family friend of my brother Dennis and a Southie Marine who was killed in combat in Vietnam.

To make this entire day so meaningful, as we were heading out of the State House, I was walking past Speaker DeLeo, who was just concluding his comments to the media. I was hoping to be able to say a quick hello to him. He looked at me and said, “Mayor, what you wrote in the Boston Herald in support of the union workers and their families at National Grid was great.” And we shook hands.

These are the political leaders who care and make our state special. Sometimes it’s what you don’t see at the State House that can make a positive difference.